Review : Elvis '77 : The Final Curtain DVD/CD/ Book Box Set

By David Troedson and David Adams
Source: Elvis Australia
January 21, 2011 - 4:18:27 AM

Elvis Presley

The first thing that draws your attention on holding the Elvis '77 : The Final Curtain set is the look, the presentation artwork is like never before. It is extremely well made, with high quality binding and workmanship.

The Book

Then on opening and sliding out the 400 page hardcover book and the CD 'holder' section from their sturdy case, the excitement of just holding and opening the book is immense. The book would easily sell for $150 on its own and sell very well, it is a superb record of the time.

The book is packed with more than a thousand pictures mostly never before seen with reviews, full text featuring all the tours and rare facts etc and, a layout that made what most people thought impossible to do, a 1977 book finally look worthy of a release. Printed on beautiful silk paper this hard back edition is a must for any true fan of Elvis Presley. Normally one would stop what they are doing and sit down and spend a good deal of time going though the book, but I found my self going for the DVDs quickly.

The DVDs

With this set there is so much more to 'distract' the Elvis fan, on further inspection you will find two DVDs flush on the inside of the front cover and two more on the back cover. And these are the main attraction.

The 6 DVD collection is an absolute must have, this includes 8mm footage with more than 2 hours of unreleased footage with the best sound possible on all footage. The 8mm DVD's are dual layered for maximum length with maximum quality and all have multi angle viewing. Included in this section is 36 minutes of unreleased footage from Indianapolis alone.

The first most will go for is the 1977 CBS TV Special, and that made its way into my DVD player really quickly. And it is a delight to view this in stunning picture quality. The film source is a transfer from a first generation digital copy of a broadcast tape and has been remastered on a 'frame by frame' basis. This is the first time we can genuinely say we as fans can watch the Special on DVD in good quality. Next the two DVDs in the front are the entire concerts filmed to make the above mentioned CBS TV Special.

They are Omaha June 19, 1977 and Rapid City June 21, 1977, the second show being from where much of the Special was taken. Now here on these two DVDs we have an amazing advance in picture quality.

Never before have I seen anything other than complete fuzzy crap, sold as 'best on DVD so far'. This is amazing, completely watchable, not something only for collectors. The Rapid City show is very close quality wise to the CBS Special with Omaha being a couple of notches below that.But bothare still in excellent quality when compared to the 5th generation degraded copies that have been inflicted on us fans for too long now.

Words are hard to find to adequately describe my joy in watching these three DVDs, two complete concerts and the famous, elusive CBS TV Special. One long time mystery to me is now two, I have never understood why Unchained Melody, an absolutely brilliant performance by Elvis, was not included in the 'CBS Special', now after, for the first time, watching the Omaha concert I have to ask the question, why did they not use the performance of Are You Lonesome Tonight? from this show rather than the Rapid City version they considered so bad they had to overdub the part where Elvis forgets the words when the Omaha version is not only better, it is out right hilarious with Elvis and Charlie hamming it up at one point (Charlie is holding the microphone), Elvis even restarts the some moments into it as he got the lyric wrong, and then proceeded with a very good version. Great entertainment from the King of music, Elvis Presley and Boxcar.

The Six CDs

Now the set also includes six (6) CDs, and they are in the second portion of the set that slides out of the case, (view image below). But are the CDs something that will get much time in the CD player? To my surprise in all but two and a half of the CDs (Disc 6 is is one as it is an audience recording, being Elvis' historic last ever concert) the sound quality ranges from extremely good soundboard (None better ever released sound wise) to dame near perfect stereo with Elvis in fine voice. The concerts come from, February, March, May, April and June 1977 and Elvis sounds fantastic. This will be a matter of opinion but these early '77 shows give us Elvis before he became really unwell. The only other CDs to have what I consider to be unsatisfactory sound quality, are CD 5 and the first 12 tracks of CD 2, this is a previously un issued soundboard so we can excuse it for that reason, in fact Boxcar have gone to extraordinary lengths to restore the tape so when all is considered it is really is in very good sound, just not one that is up to the high standard of the rest of the CDs nor to my high standards, so the first 12 tracks wont get time in my CD player. However it's better than some soundboard's released by FTD, and many fans will enjoy the rare performance of Big Boss Man, and a rather lengthy My Way (6 minutes) and importantly the last 12 tracks on the same disc are back to the high standard of sound quality and they definitely will by played often, they are a combination of different shows, we get good performances of My Way, rare performance of Bosom Of Abraham/You Better Run, Blue Christmas and How Great Thou Art.

Also included on the CD's are highlighted show recordings from 1977 and we have a new version of Elvis' last show in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977, which has had an updated transfer from the original dual audience reel tape and re-mastered to exceptional sound quality than ever before. This box could not be complete without having the last show, the final curtain, being in the final sound quality. All of the audio materials contained in the box are taken from 1st generation copies of original Soundboard / RCA tapes.

Elvis Presley takes a break during his performance, Macon, GA on June 1, 1977. From the book, Elvis '77 The Final Curtain.

[The first two CDs and second half of CDs 3 and 4 are in Stereo !!!!]

CD 1 : Part 1

CD 1 contains two concerts on consecutive days in Florida, West Palm Beach, Feb 13, 1977 and Petersburg, February 14. The CD kicks off with a good performance of Little Sister followed by an exceptional You Gave Me A Mountain. Elvis is at his best on songs like 'Mountain', partly due to it being more suited to his well evolved vocal range and style, but one must conclude also it has a lot to do with if he is interested in singing a particular song. So many times his original hits are discarded quickly with Elvis showing a strange contempt for the songs that made him famous. Just to contradict what I have just written, Blue Suede Shoes is next and the performance reminds me of the one from the Aloha From Hawaii show in 1973. Certainly not a match for his classic rendition from 1956, but I will take it over the G.I. Blues movie version, I like it!

It's Now Or Never, is next, or I should write correctly O Sole Mio/ It's Now Or Never. I will never understand why Elvis had Shaun 'Sherrill' Nielsensing O Sole Mio, no disrespect meant to Shaun, but it is awful in my opinion. On the other hand Elvis puts in a very good rendition, but I am certain he could have done better with some more practice and planning that this classic 1960 worldwide No.1 smash deserved. Still one has to ask, is this really 1977? I thought Elvis was beyond giving good performances? No he is not!!

Elvis: 'Okay, lets do something silly, how aboutMy Way', now this is the type of song he would have been better concentrating on, it suits is voice, he clearly likes performing it, and it shows here in a wonderful performance. A grade! And sadly, it is also very appropriate given he would die six months later.

All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel is up next and it is a committed if not a great performance. Elvis is past being able to sing at this pace, and one can't help but to compare it to the 1956/57 masters.

Now back to another song more suited to Elvis in '77, And I Love You So. Fantastic! And in great sound quality.

Fever! is next, originally recorded by Elvis on his return from the Army in 1960 and on his great 'first comeback' LP, Elvis Is Back! This is a delight, a slightly different rendition to that I have heard live before.

Blueberry Hill although well performed - at a short 1 minute 20 seconds, Elvis is clearly not that interested, perhaps he had the next song on his mind, a clear favorite, and that is Hurt, and Elvis give his lungs a workout in his usual style. And to repeat about the good sound quality, this is pure sonic joy to the ears.

The third last song in this concert is Hound Dog, and an unusual start makes it well worth listening too as long as you accept this is 1977 and not 1956. Second last is actually a good performance of Jailhouse Rock, Elvis is really concentrating, I am a hard judge, I have never heard what I personally consider a truly good performance of this song compared to the 1957 master, at any time since he originally recorded it. So it is not an easy song, or easy task to match Elvis of 1957. Not even for Elvis. Can't Help Falling In Love, as you know is the last song in an Elvis concert, and although Elvis does hit a couple of delightful notes towards the end, really all one can say of this performance is that it tells the listener the concert is at an end!

CD 1 : Part 2

Starting off the songs from the concert in Petersburg on February 14 is If You Love Me (Let Me Know) which is a superb performance, one of many included in this set. I think if Elvis had have included more of the songs, like this one, that he clearly liked performing, rather than what he thought his fans wanted, he would have lived a lot longer. And songs like the next are in that same category, for the second time on this disc, another exceptional version of You Gave Me A Mountain although unfortunately the mix over-powers Elvis' voice at times, still it is Elvis at his best! And the sound quality has gone up a notch with this new concert.

Next again, we have 'medley', All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel and I think this is a better performance that the previous night. Actually an excellent performance in comparison to the 'norm'.

The remaining songs are the same as the previous night with the exception of Love Letters. Also,And I Love You So, Fever and My Way, are all as good, very enjoyable to listen too, I have no idea why this concert has not been released before!!!! This time with Blueberry Hill Elvis stops Tony Brown to 'show him how to do it', and we hear Elvis playing great piano (Why did he not do more of this?) finishing of with a fine, if not again short vocal.

And what better to follow this? Love Letters, a good 'rare' live performance and like the bulk of the songs on this disc very well performed. I have never liked the June 1970 studio remake of Love Letters, and while I can't say it is as good as the original 1966 studio cut, it is a fine performance, easily killing any need to listen to the 1970 version. Again, a unique start to Hound Dog, makes it interesting, Elvis is really trying.

CD 2

I have already covered and commented on disc two above, stating that I consider the sound quality to be lesser than discs 1,3 and 4. The first 12 tracks on this CD are a previously un-issued soundboard so we can excuse it for that reason, in fact Boxcar have gone to extraordinary lengths to restore the tape so when all is considered it is really is in very good sound, just not one that is up to the high standard of the rest of the CDs nor to my high standards, so the first 12 tracks wont get time in my CD player. However it is better than some soundboard's released by FTD, and many fans will enjoy the rare performance of Big Boss Man, and a 6 minute version of My Way (including encore) and importantly the last 12 tracks on the same disc are back to the high standard of sound quality and they definitely will by played often, they are a combination of different shows, we get good performances of Help Me, Release Me, Trying To Get To You, Fairytale, How Great Thou Art, My Way, And I Love You So, and rare performance of Bosom Of Abraham/You Better Run and Blue Christmas.

Moody Blue

Very interesting is the attempt at Moody Blue on February 20 which never gets off the ground as the band doesn't know it. Elvis doesn't either but he can read the words as long as the band knows what to play and when. Interesting because the very next night, on CD 3, a simply magnificent three minute plus performance is completed and Elvis says before the song 'I'd like to try to do my latest record, I tried it last night and didn't make it, I don't know the words to it, so, I have to read it, if we goof it up, please forgive us'. And on completion, 'Boy I am sure glad you learnt it, really, because I don't know the chord changes, the key, or anything ...

CD 3

CD 3 is the best of the six CDs in this set, and not only does it contain two separate concerts, these two concerts are arguably the best two concerts not only for 1977 but for several years. I state this based on its excellent sound quality and abundance of ultra rare performances, some sheer fun, and Elvis importantly is in good vocal form. With songs such as Where No On Stands Alone, Moody Blue, Unchained Melody, Reconsider Baby, My Way (x2), Little Sister and an hilarious start to Are You Lonesome Tonight? this CD is Gold. (As is customary in 1977, Elvis forgets the words to Are You Lonesome Tonight? but this time he asks 'good grief, what are the words to that song', and the Sweet Inspirations help him - and this exchange is hilarious to listen to.)

The contents of CD 3 have been released previously. The February 16 show was partly released on the famous bootleg, Moody Blue And Other Great Performances (4 tracks only but including the ultra rare Where No On Stands Alone.) This same CD first released the February 21 concert. Then the Official Elvis Presley Collectors Label, Follow That Dream (FTD) released the February 21 show as Unchained Melody and to their ever lasting shame they used a tape that has a bad screeching noise running through it, totally spoiling what is a very special show. They could easily have copied the above mentioned bootleg release.

Well not to worry, some real Elvis fans have come to the for again, and here once again we have the concert presented in great sound. I should add that while I take a well deserved dig at FTD, they (Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon) have since 1999 been an Elvis fans dream come true releasing one great CD after another, and how easy it is to forget how excited we as fans were when the label was announced. However the above is a case where they did not get it right. [And I don't infer that Ernst or Roger are not good Elvis fans!]

Moody Blue

As mentioned in the notes above for CD 2, Elvis attempted Moody Blue on February 20 but the band didn't know it. Neither did Elvis but he can read the words as long as the band knows what to play and when. So overnight the band has worked it out and so here we get a simply magnificent three minute plus performance of Moody Blue, Elvis' last hit record. Elvis says before the song 'I'd like to try to do my latest record, I tried it last night and didn't make it, I don't know the words to it, so, I have to read it, if we goof it up, please forgive us'. And on completion, 'Boy I am sure glad you learnt it, really, because I don't know the chord changes, the key, or anything ...

Reconsider Baby

Elvis' performance of Reconsider Baby has long been one of my very top favorites but it his Madison Square Garden performance from 1972 that I refer too as released on 'Elvis-A Legendary Performer Vol. 4'. (Also on the album was a second cut from the same concert, and another gem in, I'll Remember You. The full concert was released on CD as An Afternoon In The Garden and it is vastly superior to the evening show recorded on the same day, June 10, 1972 and released in 1972 as Elvis As Recorded At madison Square Garden.

I rarely like listening to Elvis' original from his 1960 Elvis is Back! album, I hate the sax, and in both the 1972 performance and the one on this CD we are able to hear Elvis' fine blues performance much better in my opinion. So my point is, while not quite as good as that 1972 performance it is damn close, Reconsider Baby is a truly magnificent recording showing just how good Elvis Presley really was. And this is February 1977 !!!

Enough said! Well no, actually I should add that as is customary in 1977, Elvis forgets the words to Are You Lonesome Tonight? but this time he asks 'good grief, what are the words to that song', and Estelle Brown of the Sweet Inspirations helps him - and this exchange is hilarious to listen to.

CD 4

CD 4 features a concert from May 3 and several excellent bonus tracks from different concerts in April and May.

The sound on the May 3 concert is a bit flat, not as good as discs 1 and 2, but from track 18 - Mystery Train / Tiger Man which has a slightly unusual sound combined with a rocking performance to make it the highlight of the disc, with big apologies to Big Boss Man - we are back to top notch sound. Other highlights are; an excellent Bridge Over Troubled Water, My Way (In Sinatra's hometown), Fairytale and another version of My Way.

CD 5

CD 5 does not have the sparkling sound of Discs 1,2, and the second half of 3 and 4. It is also now June and Elvis' third last ever concert. It is hard to judge it, because if the sound was as good (It is not terrible, just not as good) as the first discs in this set then Elvis would sound a lot better, certain it is not the worst I have heard, far from it, it is superior to many of the 1976 concerts, and some that FTD have released officially.

So what's special on this CD?

CD 5

CD 6

Okay, this is the audience recording, and as such it is actually pretty good.

This is an updated transfer from the original dual audience reel tape and re-mastered to exceptional sound quality than ever before. This box could not be complete without having the last show, the final curtain, being in the final sound quality. All of the audio materials contained in the box are taken from 1st generation copies of original Soundboard/RCA tapes. So it is included in this set as it is Elvis Presleys last ever concert, performed June 26, 1977. But does it stand a chance of getting time in my CD player? Well yes and no.

The yes is apparent immediately the sound comes though my speakers with the audience (being close up to the microphone) and for the only time on any of the CDs in this set, the into, Also Sprach Zarathustra.

There is a unique ambiance with the excitement of the audience being louder than on a normal professionally recorded and/or soundboard concert. This takes a bit more concentration to listen to how Elvis is performing, and while I wont play this probably more than a couple of time in the future it does have it's character, and some fans will completely disagree with me and enjoy the performance.

Regardless of your view it is an important record of an admittedly sad (as it turned out) Final Farewell.

And yes, in my opinion it is one of Elvis' better shows, he went out rockin' !!!

DVD 3

Omaha, NB (June 19, 1977)

Also Sprach Zarathustra See See Rider I Got A Woman/Amen That's All Right Are You Lonesome Tonight Love Me Fairytale Little Sister Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel And I Love You So Jailhouse Rock How Great Thou Art Introductions Early Mornin' Rain What'd I Say Johnny B. Goode Introductions I Really Don't Want To Know Introductions Hurt Hound Dog 0 Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never Can't Help Falling In Love Closing Vamp

DVD 4

Rapid City, SD (June 21, 1977)

Backstage Footage Also Sprach Zarathustra See See Rider I Got A Woman/Amen That's All Right Are You Lonesome Tonight Love Me If You Love Me (Let Me Know) You Gave Me A Mountain Jailhouse Rock 0 Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never Trying To Get To You Hawaiian Wedding Song Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel My Way Introductions I Really Don't Want To Know Introduction of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden Hurt Hound Dog Unchained Melody Can't Help Falling In Love Closing Vamp